Iran Reported Ready to Extend Diplomatic Recognition to Israel

Press dispatches from Teheran today announcing that Iran has decided to extend diplomatic recognition to Israel, puzzled authorities here. They said they have received no official word on the subject, one way or another, from the government of Iran.

Iran recognized Israel after its formation in 1948. However, in 1951, when Premier Mohammed Mossadegh nationalized the country’s oil resources and started on a policy of wooing the Arab states, he recalled the Iranian envoy from Israel and stated publicly that he has withdrawn recognition from Israel. Actually, Iran never notified Israel formally about this “cancellation” of recognition, so that, de facto, Israel still is recognized by the Teheran Government.

The two countries carry on normal consular activities, granting visas to each other and recognizing each other’s passports. In the view of Israel officials, therefore, the only change that could come about juridically would be a shift from de facto recognition to de jure recognition.

But such steps are usually taken after diplomatic notification and talks among officials of both countries. There has been no official word on this score whatever from the government at Teheran, and no request has been made for renewal of exchange of diplomatic representatives between Iran and Israel, it was stated here today.